“This is the 13th annual march to Downing Street, and the 13th year a letter has been delivered to the prime minister outlining our concerns,” she said. “But they’ve never engaged meaningfully with the families.

“In light of the recent shooting of Mark Duggan in Tottenham, and the following community unrest, it’s now imperative that the issue of deaths in custody is put at the top of the political agenda. It’s institutionalised and, I’d suggest, it’s embarrassing for them.”

The demonstrators set off from Trafalgar Square in a silent procession down Whitehall. The marchers wore black, and took around an hour to reach Downing Street down the short stretch of road.

The march was larger than the previous year. This is partly because of the growing concern over the issue, but also, tragically, because more people die each year after police contact.

Families protest against UK deaths in police custody

Once again, this year, like every year hundreds gathered for the annual march against deaths in police custody in Britain. Most of those here are family members who say they have lost loved ones at the hands of the police. Like the family of Sean Riggs who died on 21 August 2008.

A 40-year old musician, he was arrested in the street by four officers and taken to a nearby police station. He was placed in a metal cage in the yard. 20 minutes later he was dead.

The annual event is now entering its 13th year and every year the list of those who have died grows longer. Organizers were handing out posters with the names of 3,180 individuals since 1969. Sadly one of the latest to be added to that list was 48-year old Smiley Culture. He died from a single stab wound to the heart. His family were told he stabbed himself while making a cup of tea. His nephew Merlin was at the march.

Standing behind me are the many families who have lost loved ones, they say at the hands of police, they are ready to march on downing street demanding justice.

“When in public spaces where you are lawfully present you have the right to photograph anything that is in plain view,” explains the American Civil Liberties Union. Yet police often claim such photography obstructs them to perform their duties. Read more